Bharat Forecasting System (BFS)

Source: ET

Context: The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) on May 26, 2025.

• It is the world’s highest-resolution weather prediction model using a 6 km x 6 km grid, powered by India’s supercomputer Arka.

About Bharat Forecasting System (BFS):

• What is BFS? BFS is India’s most advanced numerical weather prediction system. It provides highly localized, short-term weather forecasts up to panchayat level using ultra-high-resolution grids.

• BFS is India’s most advanced numerical weather prediction system.

• It provides highly localized, short-term weather forecasts up to panchayat level using ultra-high-resolution grids.

• Developed by Developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. Led by researcher Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay.

• Developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

• Led by researcher Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay.

• How It Works? Utilizes supercomputer Arka (11.77 PetaFLOPS, 33 Petabyte storage) to run simulations faster (within 4 hours). Uses real-time inputs from 40+ Doppler Weather Radars, which will soon expand to 100. Processes data for regions between 30° South to 30° North latitude, covering tropical zones including India.

• Utilizes supercomputer Arka (11.77 PetaFLOPS, 33 Petabyte storage) to run simulations faster (within 4 hours).

• Uses real-time inputs from 40+ Doppler Weather Radars, which will soon expand to 100.

• Processes data for regions between 30° South to 30° North latitude, covering tropical zones including India.

• Key Features: Highest global resolution: 6 km grid (compared to 9–14 km used by EU, UK, US models). Faster processing: Cuts prediction time by 60% compared to previous model Pratyush. Covers India comprehensively: Including small villages and blocks. Supports nowcasting – forecasts for the next 2 hours.

• Highest global resolution: 6 km grid (compared to 9–14 km used by EU, UK, US models).

• Faster processing: Cuts prediction time by 60% compared to previous model Pratyush.

• Covers India comprehensively: Including small villages and blocks.

• Supports nowcasting – forecasts for the next 2 hours.

• Significance: Disaster Risk Reduction: Enables quicker evacuation and flood alerts. Agricultural Resilience: Assists farmers with timely rainfall, heatwave, and drought warnings. Water Resource Planning: Better irrigation management and reservoir operations. Food Inflation Management: Helps stabilize prices by reducing crop losses. Public Health: Early warning for heatwaves and pollution episodes.

• Disaster Risk Reduction: Enables quicker evacuation and flood alerts.

• Agricultural Resilience: Assists farmers with timely rainfall, heatwave, and drought warnings.

• Water Resource Planning: Better irrigation management and reservoir operations.

• Food Inflation Management: Helps stabilize prices by reducing crop losses.

• Public Health: Early warning for heatwaves and pollution episodes.